Switch-stand



(No Model.)

G. SAALMILLER.

SWITCH STAND.

No. 496,066. Patented Apr. 25, 1893.

llll II llllllllllll ll V I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE SAALMILLER, OF SOUTH CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SWITCH-STAN D.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 496,066, dated April 25, 1893. Application filed August 8,1892- Serial No. 442,501. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE SAALMILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at South Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Switch-Stand, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in switch-stands and the objects and advantages of the invention together with the novel features thereof will hereinafter appear and be particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1, is a perspective view of a switch-stand embodying my invention. Fig. 2, is a vertical longitudinal section thereof.

Like numerals indicate like parts in both figures of the drawings.

1, designates a pair of ordinary but extra long cross-ties which extend from a track, and upon the same is supported at one-side of the track an inverted U-shaped switch stand 2, the upper end of which is provided with a half -circular horizontally disposed locking plate 3, having a series of concentrically arranged perforations. The central perforation of the series I have designated as 4, and those at the ends as 5. A cross-piece 6 connects the opposite terminals or sides of the standframe, and bearings 7 concentric with the locking-plate 3, are formed thereon. A targetshaft or rod 8 is mounted in the bearings and rises above the stand, where it is provided with the usual signals 9. The lower end of the rod 8, is laterally bent to form acrank 10, and a switch-rod 11, is loosely connected at its outer end to the crank and at its inner end is pivotally connected as at 12 to the shifting-arm 13 of the switch, so that movement of the arm is communicated from the switch-bar to the target-shaft or rod 8. p

A U-shaped locking-frame 14 has openings 15 formed in its opposite terminals, and through said openings passes the target-shaft or rod 8, said shaft or rod being rigidly connected to the locking-frame. The U-shaped frame 14 has its terminals slightly spaced apart, and inwardly-bent as at 15 the edges of the terminals being correspondingly recessed as at 16. Ahand-lever 17 is embraced loosely between the terminals of the U shaped locking-frame and is loosely or pivot-ally connected with the target-shaft or rod. This lever is provided with a pair of keepers 18, extending from one side, and in the same is mounted for sliding a T-shaped bolt 19, the bolt having lateral branches 20. A bell-crank 21 is pivoted as at 22 to the bolt, andaspring 23 serves to separate the free end of the lever 17, from the bell-crank, the said end and bellcrank being given an external shape, adapting them to conform to thehand. It will be obvious that by grasping the lever and operating the bell crank, the bolt will be drawn to the front, and its lugs 20 which normally remain in rear of the bent ends 15' of the locking-frame, will be drawn into engagement with the said ends, by entering the recesses 16 thereof. Thus the lever and target-shaft or rod may be rigidly locked together so that any movement upon the part of the lever will be communicated to the rod, and hence to the switch. A perforation 25 is formed in the lever 17, and a pin 26 may be passed through the perforation 25, and either one of the perforations 4 and 5 of the curved locking-bar of the target-stand, so that the lever will be locked at any point mentioned, yet at the same time the target-shaft is free for movement. A padlock 26 may be connected to the lower end of the pin, and thus the lever locked against movement by unauthorized persons.

The operation of the switch-stand will be obvious from the foregoing description, but may be briefly stated as follows: It will be seen that the targetshaft will freely oscillate to display the proper signals, while the lever 17 remains fixed. When desired to adjust the switches for the purpose of side-tracking a train, the same is accomplished through the medium of the lever, which must first be unlocked bythe switch man or tender,and shifted for this purpose.

It will be observed from the foregoing description, in connection with the accompanyiug drawings, that I have provided a mechanism of great simplicity, cheapness and durability, that may be properly protected from the weather by any suitable casings, and which is not liable to become impaired by use.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. The combination withabase of the switch stand having the curved locking-plate, the vertical targetshaft journaled' in hearings in the stand and terminating in its lower end in a crank, a rod connecting the crank with the switchmechanism, the U -shaped lockingframe 14 having inwardly-bent and spacedapart terminals 15', notched as at 16 and mounted rigidly upon the target-shaft, the lever 17 loosely pivoted upon the shaft between locking-plate, and provided with concentric, vertically-opposite bearings, of the vertical target-shaft journaled in the bearings, connections between the lower end of the targetshat't and the switch mechanism, a lockingframe mounted rigidly on the target-shaft above the curved plate and having its extremity notched, the lever loosely mounted upon theshaft adjacentto the locking-frame, and devices on the lever for removably engaging with the locking-frame, and means for locking the lever at points along the curved locking-plate, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE SAALMILLER.

\Vitnesses:

CHARLES W. LINDNER, J. H. SoHLUND. 

